Why LB is Packers' top 1st-round priority

May 8, 2014

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The Green Bay Packers won’t make their first-round draft pick until approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday at No. 21 overall, but here’s how things could unfold:

1. The Packers’ top priority is likely inside linebacker, specifically either Alabama’s C.J. Mosley or Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier. Since the overall college talent is relatively thin and potential starters will be hard to find later on, this could very well be Ted Thompson’s top priority in the first round. Either player could become an immediate starter opposite A.J. Hawk, with Mosley (6-2, 234) having the reputation as instinctive and an explosive tackler, and Shazier (6-1, 237) known for his speed and ability to find the ball. It’s possible both players will be gone by the time the Packers pick. But if both are still on the board, the guess here is the Packers would take Shazier, primarily because Mosley has a history of injuries in college.

2. If both linebackers are gone, the Packers could attempt to address a pressing need at safety in the first round, with Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville’s Calvin Pryor the top candidates in this draft. Either could start opposite Morgan Burnett this season, although both have questionable speed. That is perhaps why the Packers might wait until the second round to target a safety, perhaps Deone Buchannon of Washington State. Northern Illinois’ Jimmy Ward has also been mentioned as a later possibility, but he might be gone by the time the Packers pick in the second round.

3. If the linebackers and safeties are gone, or the ones still available are not to Thompson’s liking, the Packers might target the best available player on the board, which could be a cornerback. That is a position with several first-round quality players. Although CB isn’t a pressing need, Tramon Williams isn’t getting any younger and Micah Hyde could be switched to safety.

4. Receiver is another position that could be targeted in the first round, with the name most often associated with the Packers being USC’s Marqise Lee.

5. The Packers need a tight end to replace Jermichael Finley, who might not be medically cleared to play this season and is not under contract. North Carolina’s Eric Ebron is the best tight end in the draft and almost certainly will be gone by No. 21, so the Packers can choose from several quality players in the second or third rounds.